Ding Yuanying entered the Sunshine Hotel, took the elevator to the ninth floor, and rang the doorbell at Room 9012.
The door was opened by a woman in her thirties, who bore a resemblance to Ding Yuanying and spoke Mandarin with a Sichuan accent. She greeted him warmly, "Brother, you're here!"
She was Ding Yuanying's younger sister, Ding Qiuhong. Inside the room were two men: Qiuhong's husband, Xie Hui, and a colleague of Xie Hui's who had been brought along to take turns driving.
Ding Yuanying saw the packed luggage and asked, puzzled, "What's this? You just arrived yesterday, and now you're leaving?"
Xie Hui, after Ding Yuanying sat down, explained, "We were waiting for you. Qiuhong said we should leave once you've taken care of your business."
Qiuhong added, "There are only two elderly and one child at home, and the tea house is busy. Xie Hui and his colleague are on leave and need to get back to work. We have two rooms here; an extra day costs over a thousand yuan. Money is money, no matter who pays. Besides, talking to you tires you out and us too."
Ding Yuanying didn't know what to say.
Qiuhong quickly said, "Brother, I didn't mean anything by it. I'm just stating the facts."
Ding Yuanying took out the car keys, opened his suitcase, and placed a file folder and 60,000 USD on the coffee table, "This car is for you to take back. Get the plates in Chengdu. There are two computers in the car; you can use them. This is 60,000 USD. Let me clarify, this money is for specific purposes: 10,000 for the car's daily expenses and 50,000 for emergency medical needs of our parents. This money is untouchable."
Xie Hui nodded, "Brother, our parents are getting old, and I understand your concern. Besides, we're managing fine at home; there's not much need for money."
Qiuhong said, "Brother, you really should come home for a visit."
Ding Yuanying replied, "Maybe in a while."
Qiuhong, looking disappointed, said, "Brother, I want to renovate the tea house, but Dad disagrees. Could you help persuade him? A phone call from you would suffice; I think he'll listen to you."
Ding Yuanying said, "I disagree too, and it's not because the tea house is Dad's property. You've raised the tea house's threshold too high; ordinary customers can't afford it anymore, and it's lost its local flavor. It's fulfilling and enjoyable for the elderly to have something to busy themselves with; this is the highest value for money."
Qiuhong fell silent.
Ding Yuanying continued, "Dad knows how much he should earn after running the tea house for so many years. If it becomes an upscale tea house, can a cup of tea alone attract wealthy customers?"
Qiuhong conceded, "Brother, no need to say more. I understand."
Xie Hui said, "Brother, you've just returned and must have a lot to do. No need to stay here with us. We're all packed and will leave after checking out."
Qiuhong added, "You take care of your business. Brother Han knows we're leaving today; he's in a meeting, so we won't say goodbye in person. Please thank him for us when you see him."
Ding Yuanying closed his suitcase and said, "Alright, I won't see you off. Drive safely and give me a call when you get home."
As they spoke, everyone stood up.
Qiuhong told her husband, "You stay here and watch the things; I'll walk my brother out."
Qiuhong accompanied Ding Yuanying downstairs.
When they passed the car, Ding Yuanying paused and pointed to it, "This is the car."
As they flagged down a taxi, Qiuhong asked with concern, "Brother, are you not coming home because you're in some kind of trouble?"
Ding Yuanying replied, "No, I just want some peace and quiet."
Qiuhong said, "As long as there's no problem, the family can rest easy."
A taxi pulled up, and Ding Yuanying bid farewell to his sister before heading to Rongtai Office Building.